As a veteran-owned business, we proudly stand by those who courageously serve our nation. To mark The Forum’s Group 50th Anniversary in May 2023, we worked with an amazing organization, Tunnel to Towersopens in a new window – a Foundation totally dedicated to aiding severely wounded veterans, first responders, homeless Veterans, and a host of other charitable works. Our team committed to funding the construction of a Tunnel to Towers Smart Homeopens in a new window for a severely wounded Veteran.

In addition to supporting the other great works of the T to T Foundation, we have raised just under two million six hundred thousand dollars to construct a home for Retired Army Major Ivan Castroopens in a new window. We are privileged to share his remarkable story as a hero and incredible human being. Major Castro’s journey of courage and resilience shines as a beacon of hope for all those facing adversity.

Meet Major Ivan Castro: A True Inspiration of Commitment, Perseverance, and Courage

Major Ivan Castro’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. As a highly decorated officer in the U.S. Army, he embodied unwavering dedication and courage. With a “never quit” attitude, he spent 28 years in the Army, progressing from a Private to a Major, earning elite status as an Army Ranger, Special Forces, and a Green Beret.

His combat deployments came to a tragic end in 2006 on a rooftop in Iraq, which changed his life forever. Leading a sniper team as a First Lieutenant with the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Ivan was severely injured in a mortar attack in Youssifiyah, Iraq. In addition to his injuries, the round claimed the lives of two comrades in his command. Near death, he was ultimately transported to a field hospital only to be awakened days later, permanently blinded.

It’s easy to give up when faced with tragedy, but Ivan did not. His never-quit attitude helped him endure the terrible trauma he suffered. His journey to recovery saw him defy the odds and, despite his injuries, fight for the right to continue his Army career. Securing special dispensation, he returned to active duty as a Special Forces soldier, becoming the sole blind soldier in his unit until his retirement ten years later. While his initial physical recovery lasted over a year and continues until today, it pales in comparison to the emotional battle with darkness that he faces daily.

Ivan’s remarkable story of overcoming tough times strikes a chord as a tale of hope and persistence. His strong message emphasizes the importance of resilience, demonstrating that in facing challenges, courage lights the way through dark moments of setbacks and failures.

Choosing not to let his injuries define him, he took on a remarkable journey of recovery and achievements. Not only has Ivan been awarded two Purple Heart awards, military honors, and credentials, but in the last fourteen years, he has done it all. Despite his total blindness, he has completed over eighty marathons, skied two hundred miles in extreme conditions to the South Pole with Prince Harry, scaled Mount Kilimanjaro, cycled across the US, trekked 500 miles of El Camino de Santiago, ran with the Bulls in Spain, conquered the Marathon des Sables desert race, and hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. He co-authored a book with NYT Bestselling Author Jim DeFelice called “Fighting Blindopens in a new window,” which is his incredible story of overcoming adversity.

Ivan has genuinely inspired many. He shares his story at different events and conferences, motivating and supporting others in conquering their challenges. Ivan’s journey shows how perseverance pays off and reminds us that we can do more than we think. His attitude toward facing challenges is a compelling inspiration for each of us.

Learn more about Major Castro.opens in a new window

A Smart Cause: The Smart Home Initiative

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, honoring firefighter Stephen Silleropens in a new window, builds mortgage-free smart homes for our brave service members. These homes give independence back to veterans who’ve given so much for our country. Major Castro’s smart home will fit his needs, using top-notch technology to help him day-to-day and boost his quality of life. Each home is tailored to individual needs, with features like automated doors, roomy hallways, accessible showers, and adjustable cabinets. These upgrades help injured vets and first responders regain their independence.

Our Commitment

The Forum Group dedicates time and talent to honoring our military personnel’s sacrifices. We are thrilled to support Major Castro’s smart home and look forward to sharing more details as we break ground on the build later this year. This initiative is more than just a project for us; it is a way to give back to those who have given so much for our freedom and safety. Major Castro truly deserves this home, and we are honored to know and support him.

Join Us in Honoring our Veterans

Join us in this meaningful effort. By participating in the annual Tunnel to Towers runopens in a new window or supporting the Smart Home Programopens in a new window, you can help us honor Major Ivan Castro’s incredible bravery and that of many other veterans. Let’s unite to express our thanks and back those who’ve fought for our nation. Together, we can make a difference and pay tribute to the heroes who sacrificed so much for our country.

If you’d like to participate in our continued support or learn more about this amazing organization, please contact us.

In the executive search firm world, success goes beyond simply filling positions. It hinges on forging meaningful connections and delivering value during and between search engagements. From market insights to timely communication, every aspect of relationship-building matters. It’s a guiding principle The Forum Groupopens in a new window operates by, so when looking to bring a new leader on board, CEO Chris Fusaro knew Jim Minogueopens in a new window would be the right person to join as the new Chief Operating Officer.

Hailing from Long Island’s North Shore, Jim brings a wealth of experience and a strong client-centric approach to his new role. Having been a client of The Forum Group for nearly three decades, he understands the importance of trust, communication and reliability in this industry. His longstanding relationship with The Forum Group founder Frank Fusaroopens in a new window, spanning over 30 years, speaks volumes about his dedication to fostering meaningful connections.

Jim’s career journey, predominantly in Human Resources, has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of organizational dynamics and performance management. From his roots in technical HR operations to leadership roles in talent management and HR management, Jim has led HR functions in companies ranging from 300 to 20,000 employees. His most recent endeavors include significant contributions to streamlining operations and standardizing procedures at Mizuho Americas and various leadership roles at Guggenheim Partners including Global Head of Talent Acquisition.

At Mizuho, Jim led a broad HR function transformation with operations in the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Chile. As Managing Director and Chief Human Resources Officer, Jim turned multiple legacy HR groups into a contemporary and fully integrated talent engagement organization. His ability to lead in a positive and forward-looking manner enabled the HR team to operate at peak efficiency despite the global pandemic.

What drew Jim to The Forum Group was the opportunity to leverage his expertise in HR, operations and financial performance and the firm’s commitment to community engagement. Beyond the boardrooms and balance sheets, Jim resonates deeply with The Forum Group’s ethos of giving back. Inspired by Frank and Chris’s leadership and the firm’s philanthropic endeavors, Jim is eager to merge Forum’s capabilities with his network of friends and colleagues’ business ventures.

In his new role as COO, Jim’s responsibilities span across introducing new relationships to the firm, enhancing existing partnerships and optimizing internal operations. With a keen eye for performance management and revenue generation, Jim will partner closely with Chris and firm leadership to elevate The Forum Group’s operational efficiency and profitability. His strategic approach and focus on individual productivity align seamlessly with the firm’s vision for growth and impact.

Outside of work, Jim finds joy in his family, community and the great outdoors. Married to his college sweetheart Mary Ellen, Jim cherishes moments spent with his family. Although he has traveled around the globe on business, his favorite place in the world is his backyard surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

His passion for fly fishing, hiking and golf help him strike a balance between work and leisure, and taking cues from Frank’s philosophy of giving back to the community, Jim spends a lot of time giving back.

Jim, who earned a BS in Management from St. John’s University, is a member of the Board of Advisors at the University’s Tobin School of Business. He also serves on the board of Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens, and the Finance Council and Pension Committee of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens. He is a long-time member of the Financial Services Compensation Association. In 2021, he received an OnCon Award as a top 50 HR professional.

In Jim, The Forum Group gains a seasoned professional and a compassionate leader committed to making a difference. As he embarks on this new journey, Jim’s mission is clear: to improve operations, drive growth, and leave a lasting impact, all while staying true to his values of family, work, and giving back. With Jim at the helm, The Forum Group is ready to reach new heights, guided by expertise, integrity and community spirit.